Looking to build a few deep drop rods and would like some suggestions from guys who not only build them, but also fish them. Most likely to be used for deep drops (150-350') for Cod, Pollack, Wolfish, etc... but would also be used on occasion on oversea excursions for big grouper and the like. I understand Seeker 909 cut down to a 14 or 16 tip is popular. Have also seen Calstar 800M, 800H, and 900's cut down. Lamiglas CGBT 96 H was another suggestion. These rods would be used for jigging and bait with loads between 12 to 21 oz. Potentially the rods may need to be dedicated for one task and not both, but believe experience would dictate that. Assuming 8' is the better length for slinging jigs, would the same pertain to bait fishing? Any help would be appreciated!

Shawn,

I built myself both the Lamiglas CGBT96H and a Seeker CSB909, cut to a 14 tip. I do a fair amount of cod fishing in the Gulf of Maine. Majority of my cod fishing is from party boats. I mainly jig, and use bait on occassion. I perfer the Lamiglas CGBT96H. It's great for jigging. I jig with mostly 10 and 12 oz. jigs, but have used up to 17oz. The 96H could handle 21oz. jig, no problem. The CSB909 is a little soft in the tip for me, might be better cut to a 16 tip. Both rods are 8', which works well both with bait and jigs.

I also have a Calstar 900M blank here, which I just started working on this past weekend. I cut it down to a 14 tip. Very, very similar to the 96H, except it is much lighter.

Tha Lami 96H is just my personal preference, but the are all very nice blanks and capable for the fishing you described. My suggestion to you would be to find a shop or builder in your area who carries these blanks, and pull on them, and see how they feel to you.

Sean

Shawn...good advice from Sean.

You've got to see how they feel to YOU. I will add that alot of the diehard codfisherman, cover the range you mention, with two rods.

Sean, thanks for the suggestions! Unfortunately, there aren't many places to pull on those blanks around here! Based on your suggestions, I would lean toward the 900H cut down based on weight. Although not the main concern, I prefer to build on the lightest blank I can to accomplish what I want. If you were to build exclusively for bait, I am assuming you would leave the tip a bit on the lighter side like a 14 rather then a jig stick cut to a 16? How long do you like to make your butt and fore grips? I understand many guys are using the rail for leverage so wondering if you accomodate that with a longer foregrip? I imagine hypalon would be the better choice if that's the case.

Mike, you of all people I am sure has built his fair share of cod rods. I am planning on calling Neil this week before he heads to Alaska to pick his brain. Any other thoughts?

Thanks guys!

"Scrod Rods"........thread and epoxy @#$%& pigs!!!! Good luck. (Neil may suggest the 900M cut to suit your needs, 18" rear plus butt cap, 12" fore)

I use 18" hypalon rear grip and a 8" EVA foregrip. Once again, whatever suits you needs best for the grips. Some people prefer 10" foregrip, some like the 12", I like the 8". I do use the rail for leverage, but I did recieve a message from Mike awhile back that said, "stop riding the rail!!!". LOL!!!!! Can't wait to do a cod fish trip with you, Mike.

As for bait rods, my Lami with a 14 tip is fine for that, and I would imagine the same for the Calstar. I am really not into bait fishing and try to avoid it as much as possible.

Sean... I don't know how many broken rods I've seen and repaired due to "rail riding" and using the rail as a fulcrum for jigging. Its a brutal sport you guys play! The Lami BT968S, all fiberglass blank, really enjoys being crushed on a rail! LOL. The composites can withstand the abuse of this behavior far better.....
....we'll fish someday, I'll be riding the rail with the best of them!!!!! ( I'll need a tutor / mentor though..and cheesecake :)

Thanks Mike. I thought Neil would have left the shop by now as he always is complaining, LOL! Sean, truth be told, I haven't Cod fished up that way but have a friend who has. Here in NJ, we have cod trips, but they are really ling trips with an occasional small cod or pollack. Hardly demands what's used up there! I love to jig, so I assume I would fall into your style of fishing rather then bait, but I am a fishermen, so I do what's working to catch fish. That said, I'll probably build something better suited for jigging, with the ability to fish bait. Any other specifics you guys can add? Assuming you guys are spiral wrapping these? Thinking of hitting the YC Cashes Ledge trip on Sept. 3rd. Thanks again!

Shawn, I do not have any spiral wrapped rods and have never fished one. I see a few while fishing up north, and the guys that have them swear by them. So I am going to spiral wrap the Calstar that I am working on now, and see what I think about these spiral wrapped rods.

Mike, I can picture rods breaking "riding the rail". I never used to do that, but saw others doing it. Monkey see, monkey do. LOL!! I have to stop doing that!!! I will be doing more cod fishing this fall, I will get in touch with you.

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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/20/2005 07:39PM by Sean Endres.